The air fryer has amassed a devoted following over the years, and there are numerous reasons, from crispy fries and wings to delicately roasted veggies. An air fryer is an all-in-one kitchen appliance that is small enough to fit in the corner of most counters.
However, with all of the buzz surrounding air fryer microwave oven combos, this appliance is a machine with technology that only some understand. As a result, there are many myths about how it works, why it’s a better kitchen than the Nuwave Oven, and what it can do when you bring one into your household.
In reality, an air fryer can do more than provide golden and crispy ‘fried’ foods. So, much like Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman did back in the day, we here at DaDongNy wore safety glasses and gloves, looked at various air fryer myths, and debunked them all!
Myth #1: Food is ‘fried’ in air fryers
Most of the time, people compare or confuse an air fryer with a deep fryer, yet they couldn’t be more different.
Despite the name, an air fryer doesn’t actually ‘fry’ your food; it bakes it. An air fryer is a small countertop oven with a fan and heating element. The fan circulates the heat through the heating element, and a detachable drawer with a non-stick basket lets the heated airflow around your food. It works the same way as a fan-forced oven does.
You may wonder why an ‘air fryer’ sounds more alluring than an ‘air baker.’ The answer is that it’s just a marketing move to make people think that they can get the same result with a deep fryer, with little to no oil being used in an air fryer. It’s not the case because you’ll be needing oil to get the flavor and texture to call your food fried. Furthermore, food cooked in an air fryer is the same as that cooked in an oven.
That being said, air fryers have faster heat transferring capabilities than most ovens, which can shorten the cooking time of your food while getting that crispy crunch surface, unlike deep-fried ones.
Myth #2: Air Fryers Are Just A Hype
With air fryers becoming popular in many kitchens across the globe, it’s arguable that this appliance is the new trend nowadays. Future Market Insights (FMI) expects air fryers to get a steady CAGR of 7.7% and a revenue of $1.9 billion by 2033 in the US alone.
You can find all kinds of air fryer accessories online and dedicated cookbooks. World-renowned manufacturing companies are releasing newer and fancier models to tap the air fryer market. There are wide ranges of air fryer choices, such as air fryers for chicken wings or air fryers for families of four, because this equipment has benefits everyone loves. These are as follows:
- Healthier;
- Crispier food;
- Faster;
- Safer;
- Versatile;
- Compact;
- Affordable;
- And easier to use and clean
Keep the best out of your air fryer on your kitchen countertop instead of hiding it in the cupboard. You can use it more often to cook and save the hassle of dragging it out since most air fryer models are bulkier than you think.
Related Article: Are Air Fryers Worth The Buzz, Or Just A Load Of Hot Air? (Chefs’ Weigh In)
Myth #3: Air Fryers Are Only Used For Junk Food
Do you think air fryers are just for cooking fries, nuggets, and other frozen foods? Well, you’re going to have to think again, my friend.
Air fryers, like ovens, can cook the same things, such as roasted or grilled meats and vegetables; they can even be used to reheat leftover dinners. You can cook with less oil no matter which of these two you use; thus, they offer the same health advantages.
Myth #4: The More Air Fryer Accessories There Are, The Better
It’s easy to get swayed by all air frying kits offered by some models, but upon buying an air fryer, your top priorities should be how well the equipment performs and how easy it is to use.
There are various air fryer accessories on the market that are air fryer-friendly, such as silicone baking molds and parchment paper, which can come in helpful to prevent any sticky mess on your air fryer basket.
However, it is optional. It is up to you if you choose to have these things to help you cook more efficiently. However, you should consider how easy it is to clean the air fryer, how efficiently and evenly it cooks, and whether it includes an auto-shut-off safety feature.
Myth #5: Food Cooked In An Air Fryer Is Extremely Healthy
To put it simply, yes. There are health benefits to reducing your fat intake by consuming air-fried foods rather than deep-fried ones. However, you must still consider the foods you’re preparing as well as its portion to guarantee overall health.
Also, keep in mind that if you’re eating a lot of air-fried junk foods instead of much healthier ones, you are not doing your health any good in the long term, even if you use a little oil spray. The easiest approach to guarantee that your air fryer becomes your healthy partner in crime is to avoid cooking processed foods.
Related Article: Air Fryer: Is It Actually Healthy Or Simply A Myth?
Myth #6: The More Expensive Air Fryer Is, The Better
After testing several air fryer models, we concluded that you don’t have to spend a lot to get a high-quality product. After several hours of testing, most of our suggested air fryers cost less than half the price of the most costly model we examined.
If you’re planning on visiting your local store and thinking of getting an air fryer for your family, we recommend getting one that includes the following features:
- Durable non-stick coating;
- A basket that can hold a large capacity and is perforated;
- Digitally controlled;
- Comes with a clear indicator and preheat light;
- And easy to clean components
Myth #7: You Can Set The Air Fryer And Leave It During The Cooking Process
Air fryers work like a charm, but how “easy” are they to use? There isn’t a clear answer for that because not all air fryers are created the same; how easy they are to use depends on the model.
However, if you think that ‘easy to use’ means you can leave your air fryer unattended during the cooking process, you’re gravely mistaken.
Whatever air fryer model you have in your kitchen, it is critical to check, shake, or turn the food on a regular basis to ensure equal cooking. Not every model will notify you when it’s time to shake the food. That is why you must regularly monitor your air fryer, especially while roasting meats and vegetables.
FAQs
Is It Necessary To Preheat The Air Fryer?
An air fryer heats up far faster than a conventional oven. The overall cooking time to start cooking food in a cold air fryer was the same as before adding food to a preheated air fryer; thus, skipping the preheating was convenient. One advantage of using an air fryer over an oven is that it cooks food much faster so it does not require preheating.
Is It Necessary To Buy Accessories And Attachments For My Air Fryer?
While some air fryer models come with attachments such as racks and pans, most do not. That is why air fryer accessories are necessary, especially if you are an air fryer junkie who wants to try out various dishes, including 23 of our simple and excellent air fryer recipes. These tools have the potential to elevate your cooking experience.
Related Article: Air Fryer Accessories: 10+ Must-Have Tools to Maximize Your Kitchen Equipment
What Should I Do If I Smell Smoke During Air Frying Or If My Air Fryer Begins To Smell Bad?
Keep your air fryer clean! A dirty air fryer was one of the main sources of smoking and odor. If you notice excessive smoke or a burnt smell even though your food is not fried, clean the area around the heating element of your air fryer to remove built-up residue. When cool, use degreasing dish soap to wash leftover food scraps.
Related Article: Air Fryer Cleaning: Simple Hacks For Getting Grease And Food Out
Bottomline
Air fryers are not just one of the most popular kitchen appliances right now but also one of the most misunderstood. And in order to fully utilize an air fryer, you must first understand the what, how, and when of an air fryer. We hope this post has shed light on some misconceptions concerning this equipment.
To learn more about air fryers, click the link to learn everything you need to know about this trendy kitchen gadget.
